49
Maison des Livres, across from Sylvia Beach’s Shakespeare and Company on the rue de l’Odéon. The complete edition was 1,200 copies (on various papers), of which this is one of only 200 “exemplaires d’auteur hors commerce”. As sometimes found in continental books, a partial chemical erasure of Joyce’s inscription to O’Sullivan has been attempted at some point, though the wording remains clearly legible. Quarto (225 × 180 mm). Original wrappers bound into contemporary tan three-quarter pigskin, stylised onlay letting to spine, brown coated endpapers. Covers generally somewhat worn, superficial split from top of front joint but entirely sound, clean within, very good condition overall. ¶ Slocum & Cahoon D12. £22,500 [153730] 49 JOYCE, James. Yurishizu (“Ulysses”). Translated by Ito Sei, Nagamatsu Sadamu and Tsujino Hisanori. Tokyo: Daiichi Shobo, 1931 & 1934 The first non-European translation, inscribed by the translator First edition in Japanese, first printing, presentation copy, inscribed by the translator to fellow novelist Narasaki Tsutomu on the front free endpaper of volume 1, transcribed on a loosely inserted slip, “Ito Sei – Narazaki Tutomu”.
This is the first non-European translation; it predates the publication of the work in England and the United States. Much of the more direct Molly Bloom soliloquy is tipped in on xerox sheets, reinstating the expurgated text. Despite this omission for the censors, the sale of the second volume was banned in 1934 on the basis that what was included represented a “portrayal of the lustful meanderings of a middle-aged female”. Of this edition volume 1 was printed in a run of 2,000 copies and volume 2 in a run of 1,500. Ito Sei (1905–1969) played a significant role in the transmission of English literature to a Japanese audience, also translating Lady Chatterley’s Lover in 1950, resulting in a landmark obscenity trial. He was a highly successful critic, poet, and novelist and in 1963 won the Kikuchi Kan Prize for his achievements in Japanese literature. This highly important edition is notably scarce, with just one other set traced at auction, volume 1 of which was a reprint. 2 volumes, octavo. Original limp blue cloth, titles to spines in gilt, beige endpapers. Vol. 2 with dust jacket and original glassine wrapper. Housed in a dark blue cloth flat-back box by the Chelsea Bindery. Text in Japanese. Occasional pencil annotations. Bookseller’s ticket to pastedowns of vol. 2. Spines a little rolled and toned, slight mottling and a couple of marks to cloth, touch of wear to spine ends and tips, occasional foxing and water marks to contents; a very good set, spine of dust jacket to vol. 2 lightly sunned. ¶ Slocum & Cahoon D91. £12,500 [131239]
All items are fully described and photographed at peterharrington.co.uk
37
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker